Elopement vs Wedding vs Micro Wedding: The 5 Key Differences
A side-by-side guide to help you pick what’s best for you
Let’s put Elopement vs Wedding vs Micro Wedding to the test so you can easily decide what matches your vision the best.
So, you’re engaged and suddenly find yourself overwhelmed with confusing wedding terminology? You obviously know about weddings, but now there’s more – elopements, weddings, micro weddings (and a few others, actually).
But what’s the difference, really? And more importantly, which one is the right choice for you?
The lines between these options have become quite blurry, but the experience each one offers is still vastly different.
In this post, I’ll cover planning, guest count, budget, venues, and the overall vibe & feel for you – so by the end, you’ll be able to imagine your day much more clearly.
To start, here’s a very brief overview:
“Elopement” usually means a small, intimate experience that’s focused on freedom and privacy. It’s generally outdoors, more on the adventurous side, and either includes no guests at all or only a very small number.
“Wedding” refers to the large, traditional celebration with a more formal setting and an extensive guest list.
“Micro Wedding” sits somewhere in between but leans more toward a smaller, personal scale with around 10–30 guests.
Planning & Logistics
Elopement
Out of the three options, an elopement is by far the simplest and least complex. You’re usually only planning something for the two of you (or a very small group). That makes the to-do list quite short. Also, it’s very common that elopement photographers like me also act as planners in many ways, which makes this even easier for you.
With no need for seating charts, reception decor and managing 15 vendors, elopement planning is all about the experience you’d like to have. It’s about the landscapes you love, the activities you enjoy, and the way you want to share your vows. All of this takes intention, though. And at first, the complete freedom of choice can sometimes be a blessing in disguise.
Once the basics like your date and destination are taken care of, all that’s left is your own travels. You can also decide whether to turn it into a trip or even your honeymoon.
Lastly, the most significant benefit of elopement planning is the flexibility. Last-minute timeline changes due to weather shifts or deciding to watch a glowing sunset instead of going to dinner will never be easier.
Wedding
As a surprise to no one, traditional weddings require by far the most planning. And while this process can be pretty draining for some, others thrive in it. Due to the limited availability of venues (usually the first thing to sort out), this all starts early. Sometimes even two years before the wedding date.
From invitations, catering, music, and decor to color concepts – the list of decisions to make gets quite long. Since it’s all been done countless times before, though, there’s a lot more structure to it. So if you’re up for a little challenge, have the required time and energy (or a planner’s help), and simply love the idea of a big celebration with all your favorite people around you – it’s totally worth it.
Micro Wedding
With a micro wedding, you still go through many of the same planning steps as a big wedding. But the smaller guest count makes the process more relaxed and manageable.
You’re also gaining some of the flexibility back, especially in terms of venues and locations. Micro weddings can easily take place somewhere beautiful outdoors without needing a huge venue. More on this further down below.
If planning a big wedding sounds overwhelming but the idea of a private elopement doesn’t quite suit your plans, having a micro wedding can be the ideal “in-between” choice.
Guests
Elopement
Most elopements don’t include any guests at all. And since many have a symbolic ceremony instead of a legal one, there’s usually also no need for witnesses (and nowadays, most countries don’t require them anyway).
But even though an elopement is this deeply personal and private wedding day, it doesn’t have to mean you’re not bringing any guests. My wife and I had our three closest friends with us when we eloped, for example.
So usually, elopements have between 0–5 guests. The point here is the intention behind it and that you’re actively choosing what feels best for you. If that means it’s just the two of you – great. And if you want to bring your absolute closest people along for the ride instead – also great.
Check out my post explaining everything you need to know about eloping to learn more.
Wedding
Weddings typically involve anywhere from 50 to 150+ guests. This is where anyone from extended family, coworkers, plus-ones, and distant friends can make the list. Sometimes out of genuine excitement, sometimes just out of obligation.
With more expectations to manage, a day like this can quickly become all about hosting instead of a pleasant experience for the two who are actually getting married.
However, a big wedding might also be the only time in your entire life when all of your favorite people are brought together in the same room. It can be a beautiful, joyful celebration of past stories, genuine connections, and the dearest of friendships — a chance to reconnect, come together, and enjoy a day that might never happen again.
So while the big guest count comes at a price (figuratively and literally), it also opens up the chance for an amazing day and a shared experience to remember for decades to come.
Micro Wedding
A micro wedding usually includes around 10–30 people – your inner circle, parents, siblings, best friends.
It still allows you to celebrate with loved ones but loses the scale and pressure of a traditional wedding. The smaller guest count allows space for actual conversations without the need to rush from table to table. It’s big enough to feel like a celebration, but not so big that it feels like a production.
Budget
Elopement
Since you’re losing the venue and the need to pay for a hundred meals, elopements can be highly cost-effective. Depending on where you allocate your money, they can still be quite luxurious and fancy, though.
The key difference being: Your budget goes towards your experience instead of someone else’s.
You might splurge on a beautiful remote Airbnb, get the five-star hotel room, fly business class, rent a helicopter, book a private chef or hire the photographer you love.
So, as you can tell – from accommodation, travel, to attire and vendors, this is all very flexible and therefore difficult to generalize.
Still, to give you an idea (not including your travel costs):
Smaller, shorter elopements usually cost around $5,000. Destination elopements with more coverage, more planning and 1–2 vendors: around $10,000. Multi-day or luxury ones with a few extras: about $15,000.
Wedding
In most European countries, between venues, catering, decor, attire, entertainment and vendors, the average wedding easily costs upwards of $20,000. With a higher guest count or some extras, this quickly rises to up to $30,000.
In the US, at around 100 guests, you’re probably looking at a figure closer to $60,000. Which is crazy, by the way.
This doesn’t make any of it wrong, though, especially if you have the budget for it. For some, this might feel out of sync with their priorities. But for others, this full-scale celebration is worth every penny. If it aligns with the experience you have in mind, this is money well spent.
Micro Wedding
Again, a micro wedding falls in the middle but is much closer to the price tag an elopement comes with. In this case, you’re simply spending your money on different things.
You might still treat yourself and your guests to a lovely meal, but with no large venue, a significantly smaller number of people, and fewer vendors, a budget around $10,000–12,000 will probably cover everything on most occasions.
Again, this depends on so many different things, so any number is nothing more than a rough ballpark figure – but just like with an elopement, probably one that won’t break the bank.
Venues & Destinations
Elopement
By eloping, you have the freedom to literally go anywhere. The world becomes your venue and opens up endless possibilities. So no matter if you’re dreaming of a quiet mountaintop, a rugged coastline, or a mossy forest – all limits and restrictions are gone.
An elopement opens the door to places that would be impossible to visit with a large group and can also be the perfect chance to cross some long-desired destination off your bucket list.
The only important thing is that you choose a place that lights you up and excites you. And from moody highlands to tropical beaches and Mediterranean towns, this could be anything.
Need some inspiration? Take a look at some places where I’ve photographed elopements before or check out my top 3 bucket list destinations.
Wedding
A wedding almost always needs a dedicated venue that’s equipped to handle larger groups and comes with built-in logistics, like a hotel, estate, or banquet hall.
This offers convenience but also comes with restrictions or limitations on your schedule, decor and vendors. Also, the larger the guest list, the more difficult it will be to find a suitable venue.
Booking said venue will be the very first thing on your to-do list when planning a wedding and will most definitely require a large portion of your budget.
Of course, if everyone is up for the trip, you could turn this into a destination wedding and book something like a unique villa in Tuscany or an old castle in Scotland.
Micro Wedding
I feel like I’m turning into a parrot here, but micro weddings are, again, as always, somewhere in between. Not nearly as adventurous as an elopement would be, but also nowhere close to being as limiting as the large wedding.
Of course, you still need to consider things like parking, seating, and restrooms. But you can easily choose a private garden, a cozy backyard, a beautiful countryside Airbnb, or even a hidden forest clearing as your venue.
The smaller scale allows for creative and unconventional spaces that offer a more laid-back atmosphere compared to traditional wedding venues.
Overall Feel & Vibe
Elopement
Elopements tend to feel quiet, intentional and deeply personal. With no one watching, there’s a sense of freedom to do whatever you want, wherever you want. It’s just the two of you being present and enjoying a day that’s entirely built around you, your relationship and your rhythm.
Especially for introverted couples or those who feel uncomfortable with the spotlight and attention weddings can often come with, this can be incredibly freeing.
Choosing to elope offers the most calm yet adventurous, peaceful yet breathtaking, and gentle yet stunning experience one could ever wish for.
Wedding
All the planning and the busy schedule aside, weddings can feel joyful and festive – a true celebration of love with the people who raised you, supported you and grew up alongside you.
To some, all of this can feel overwhelming, stressful and performative instead, though. Do not have a huge wedding just because you feel like it’s what people (aka your mom and aunt) expect from you.
But if you truly love throwing a party and want to be surrounded by everyone who matters to you on your special day, having a traditional wedding is a great choice.
Micro Wedding
Micro weddings offer what still feels like a meaningful connection with loved ones, but without the chance of being overwhelming. They tend to be cozy, connected and more spacious. That extra bit of breathing room can make all the difference.
It’s like doing the traditional thing, but on your own terms and in a more comfortable way that actually makes sense for you.
While losing out on the adventurous and intimate side of eloping, micro weddings are (again, Jesus Christ) a great balance that lets you gain the social part of weddings in a smaller, easier to manage dosage.
So… What’s right for you?
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
If you’re looking for space, simplicity, and adventure — an elopement is your best match.
If you want something meaningful but shared — a micro wedding could be the sweet spot.
If you dream of a big celebration with everyone you love — a traditional wedding may be perfect.
What matters is the experience that feels most aligned with your relationship, your values and your way of being in the world.
Whether you want to say your vows alone on a clifftop, gather your closest friends for a weekend in the mountains, or throw a big celebration filled with dancing and speeches – your wedding day should feel like you.
Whatever you choose, make it yours.
And if you’re leaning toward something quieter, more adventurous and a little off the beaten path — I’d love to help you bring it to life.
